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Topic: 2003 MB - Salvage Title - California  (Read 310 times) previous topic - next topic
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2003 MB - Salvage Title - California
Here's an interesting one for someone in California to check out. Listed as a "salvage" title due to "theft recovery". Pics make it look super clean except for the drivers side door being scratched up and the stereo missing from the dash. Price is great and might be worth getting inspected. Too far away for me tho. Obviously could be tons of hidden issues considering it was stolen, but man it looks nice.

2003 LAZY DAZE 26.5 MID BATH
- My name is Nik, I'm a future Lazy Daze owner! :)
Re: 2003 MB - Salvage Title - California
Reply #1 –
I don't know about California but in Florida a salvage title means the vehicle can only be sold for parts.

Jim
Re: 2003 MB - Salvage Title - California
Reply #3 –
At the least the LD auction an interesting proposition.  Missing some parts like the generator cover, stove cooking grate, toilet seat, shower curtain, thermostat cover, kitchen counter extension, kitchen drawer under the frig, gray tank cap.   There seems to some kind of damage above the gray tank connection?  And the right rear end cap is missing a large piece of material.  In 2013 and  2014, someone had more than $5,000 worth of work done on this coach.  It also has a banks power kit.  A good many people are watching this auction.  As I said, it's an interesting proposition.  In Texas, a salvage title doesn't preclude getting it licensed and driving it.
Re: 2003 MB - Salvage Title - California
Reply #4 –
Hmmm...

My DW is ok with my spare LD PLAYERS laying around for spare parts, but I think she may draw a line on an extra LD COACH stashed in the back yard for "just in case" situations.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: 2003 MB - Salvage Title - California
Reply #5 –
Quote from: Traxless  - 
At the least the LD auction an interesting proposition.  Missing some parts like the generator cover, stove cooking grate, toilet seat, shower curtain, thermostat cover, kitchen counter extension, kitchen drawer under the frig, gray tank cap.   There seems to some kind of damage above the gray tank connection?  And the right rear end cap is missing a large piece of material.  In 2013 and  2014, someone had more than $5,000 worth of work done on this coach.  It also has a banks power kit.  A good many people are watching this auction.  As I said, it's an interesting proposition.  In Texas, a salvage title doesn't preclude getting it licensed and driving it.


So much random stuff missing. Makes you wonder what the circumstances around the theft were. I get an eerie vibe. Due to the lack of physical damage it makes me think it's a salvage due to being  a "Bio". Which means there was biological matter inside (crime scene). I'm totally speculating tho. Just so little damage and obviously not a flood damaged salvage.
- My name is Nik, I'm a future Lazy Daze owner! :)
Re: 2003 MB - Salvage Title - California
Reply #6 –
YMMV, but I would want "the rest of the story", i.e., full disclosure, on this vehicle before even thinking about giving it a good home. This link leads to the pertinent information from the CA DMV; other states' laws on re-registering salvage vehicles may differ from those in CA.

Salvage Junked Nonrepairable and Abandoned Vehicles
2003 TK has a new home
Re: 2003 MB - Salvage Title - California
Reply #7 –
Quote from: JCT  - 
YMMV, but I would want "the rest of the story", i.e., full disclosure, on this vehicle before even thinking about giving it a good home. This link leads to the pertinent information from the CA DMV; other states' laws on re-registering salvage vehicles may differ from those in CA.

Salvage Junked Nonrepairable and Abandoned Vehicles

Yeah I'm not interested, but thought someone might be.
- My name is Nik, I'm a future Lazy Daze owner! :)
Re: 2003 MB - Salvage Title - California
Reply #8 –
   Looks like in pretty good shape for its age and mileage. I've seen worse damage inflicted by owners. Roof looks good. I assume those brackets had solar panels. A little chip in the back corner molding. Bondo would fix that, but the Factory could fix that also. Looks like someone tried to steal the wheel covers, not realizing that those 'big' nuts are fake, just to cover the wheel studs. Toilet seat cover, easy to replace. The 'something missing' near the toilet from the wall. Don't know what that is. I could fix it up in a week or so. Assuming drivetrain and all are healthy it looks like a bargain. Lending institutions might be reluctant to touch it with 'it' as collateral, but other sources of money exist. California requires a CHP inspection to make sure it was roadworthy before you could get it re-certified. Fees, and license. Most problem might be getting insurance for it although paying the state sales tax would start the title over. Its not like buying real estate with muddled title.People re-certify junked vehicles all the time. I'm sure the VIN is readable, and it is recent enough to have a smog history Batteries look good, sort of new agm house batteries. I'd give it a shot if I had a place to store it, and didn't already own one. It also has too many miles for me. My 4 cents worth. RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: 2003 MB - Salvage Title - California
Reply #9 –
My biggest concern with a salvage title would be re-sale value. Even if in good shape, the perceived value for most potential future buyers would be less since the "salvage" designation stays with it forever, I believe. If resale value is not a concern, then it might be worth taking a look!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: 2003 MB - Salvage Title - California
Reply #10 –
HiLola. I thought of that. It does stay with the title, so 'flipping' it would be hard. But if you used it and kept it for a few years, I think that would melt away as a concern. I bought new because I couldn't find any of the floorplan and color I wanted. I figured to keep it at least 20-25 years, so I would mellow out the depreciation by then. People buy it because of the condition it is in. I know you would take good care of it. I have friends who routinely buy really junked cars, and are handy enough to fix them up, and go through the process of reclaiming them.  A missing stove grate, easily replaced. The TV and microwave are still there! As far as biologics, I've owned rentals for years. That isn't a concern with this motorhome. (believe me I've got stories!) It could be detailed well. With 129K miles, there is bound to be some wear of course. A 2003 is 4 years newer than mine, but still will have warts after 13 years.   These type of things scare away the non handy, probably correctly. RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: 2003 MB - Salvage Title - California
Reply #11 –
We had a question a while ago about salvage titled coaches on another forum I frequent.  A member was seriously considering a coach with one.  In some states, his being one of them, the only insurance he would be able to get on it is liability.  No comprehensive or collision.  He passed.
Re: 2003 MB - Salvage Title - California
Reply #12 –
Before even looking at such a LD, I would want the CarFax printout to see if it had been crashed, leading to the 'salvage' title or if it is one of the many hundred thousand flood damaged vehicles that have hit the market in the last year or two.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
 
Re: 2003 MB - Salvage Title - California
Reply #13 –
Hi Larry. The motorhome has pictures available. It looks like it was stolen, then sort of vandalized. At 13 years old and 129,00 miles most insurance companies 'throw in the towel' and scrap it, rather than try to have multiple vendors fix various damaged systems. If you were to pay to have this one fixed, it could cost a lot. If you could do it yourself, especially with judicious use of lightly used parts, it could be inexpensive to return it to the road. The bureaucratic mess would be the worst hurdle. RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB